Car-coupling



(No Model.)

- T.- E. ASKEW.

GAR COUPLING. No. 450,129. Patented Apr. 14,1891.

IN V E N TOR 77104145 5. ASKEW UNI'IED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

THOMAS EVANS ASKEW, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

..C AR-COUPL|NG.'

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 450,129, dated April 14, 1891..

Application filed August 29, 1890. Serial No. 363.462. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS EVANS AsKEW, of St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Couplings; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the'figures of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to improvements in car-couplings, particularly of the class commonly known as link-and-pin couplings, and has for its object to provide a means whereby the link and pin may be held in coupling position without the necessity of the attendants remaining between the cars during the coupling operation; to which end it consists in certain novel details of construction to be hereinafter described, and pointed out particularly in the claims at the end of this specification.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pair of drawheads having my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a face view of one of the coupling-heads, and Fig. 4 is a cross-section through the other coupling-head.

Similar numerals of referencein the several figures indicate the same parts.

In the drawings, 8 and 9 represent two cooperating draw-heads, each having the usual chambers therein for the reception of the ends of the link 3, and apertures for the passage of the coupling-pins 2 2. In the head 8, and preferably at a point slightly in rear of the coupling-pin, is pivoted a pin-support 4, having a socket or seat 10 for the pin in its upper portion and adapted to swing approximately from the position shown in full lines, Fig. 2, to that shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1. Vithin the chamber in the head 8 the pinsupport is provided withaprojection extending below its center of oscillation and adapted-when struck by the link to throw the support forward for a purpose which will presenly appear.

In the co-operating draw-head is j ournaled a shaft 5 at approximately the same relative vided at the outer ends with handles 11, as

will be readily understod by referring to Figs. 1 and at.

The operation is as follows: Assuming that the two cars to be coupled are approaching each other, the train-man first throws the pinsupport over and rests the pin in its seat therein, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1, with the end resting in the pin-hole. He then inserts the link in the co-operating head beneath the link-support and inserts the pin in that head. Then, if the draw-heads are of known height with relation to each other, he may turn the shaft 5 until the front end of the link is at the proper elevation and lock the same in this position by means of the pawl and ratchet-wheels 12 and 13; or if the relative height of the heads be not known he may grasp one of the handles 11 and as the cars approach guide the link properly into the co-operating head. As the link enters this head it comes in contact with the projection 7 and throws the upperportion of the pin-support forward, causing the pin to assume an upright position and instantly drop into place through the link. v

From this description it will be seen that I have provided an exceedingly simple and efficacious coupling mechanism capable of being manipulated even by inexperienced persons, and which may be applied to the common link-and-pin couplings now in every-day use at a minimum cost.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as'new is- 1. In a car-coupling, the combination, with the co-operating draw-head, link, and pin, as described, of the link-support consisting of the substantially horizontal shaft having the the link-snpport in the co-operating drawproj'eotion 6 thereon, the handle 11, and the head, consisting of the shaft 5, projection 6, ratchet and pawl 12 and 13, as set forth. and handle 11, substantially as described.

2. In a ear-coupling, the combination, with In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my the co-operating draw-heads, link, and pins, hand in presence of two subscribing Wit- 15 as described, of the pin-support pivoted in one nesses.

draw-head, With the upward extension having THOMAS EVANS ASKEVV. the pin-seat in which the pin is adapted to Witnesses: rest at an angle, and the downward extension, FR. F. \VILDE,

10 with which thelink is adapted to engage, and J. S. BURRIS. 

